Wisdom crieth without, she uttered her voice in the streets; and in the chief place of concourse in the opening of the gates:in the city she uttered her words say: How long , ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning , and fools hate knowledge? Turn ye at my reproof,: behold I will pour out my spirit unto you ; I will make known my words unto you? Proverbs 1:20-23 KJV
It has been a strange week this last week of March 2020. The whole world continues in a state of quarantine. I have been shut in with my young adult daughter for over a week and I can only thank God for his grace and his mercy. I am not alone.
As I sit at the dining table drawing my thoughts together, I realize that this ‘shut in’ has not been new for me, neither the frenzied sharing of the word, by any means possible.
In my spirit I hear a whisper of his word here and there – ‘where is the wise man? What can our knowledge and intellect do to help us in this hour? Prior to this season many depended on wealth and stealth, but death has shown us He is no respecter of persons.
Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah the Bible says ‘let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches, but let him that glories he glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord which exercises lovingkindness, judgement and righteousness in the earth for in these things he delights’ (Jeremiah 22:24) KJV
I am comforted by the many sharing of Psalms 91 which reassures me about dwelling under the shadow of the Almighty. I am moved by the many outpourings and salvations from presidents to paupers in the streets of our many nations. Surely this is wisdom. There has been anguish and distress and unprecedented circumstances for our era -our generation, but the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Let the blood of Jesus be on your house.
I am comforted by our Father’s words :
‘Let not let your heart be troubled , neither let it be afraid, in my Fathers house are many mansions , if it were not so , I would have told you. I have gone to prepare a place for you that where I am there ye might be also’.
My Father, doesn’t lie. He is still in control and just around the corner. In the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump we that are his (whether living or dead) shall be raised up incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 15:52. To this we hold dear.
Until he comes, we are in this storm together. We don’t have to dig here or there to find reasons for this virus; all have sinned and come short of his glory. He is sifting the chaff from the wheat and separating the sheep from the goats, but He leaves space for us to repent. He stands judge supreme. He is judges the people with loving kindness. He is merciful and long-suffering to all who call on Him in Truth. He asks that we examine our hearts, break up our fallow ground and sow no more amongst thorns.
So be wise. Let him that has an ear hear what the Spirit may be saying at a time like this .
Hosea, would say it like this
O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God;
for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD:
say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously:
so will we render the calves of our lips.
3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses:
neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods:
for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely:
for mine anger is turned away from him.
5 I will be as the dew unto Israel:
he shall grow as the lily,
and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
6 His branches shall spread,
and his beauty shall be as the olive tree,
and his smell as Lebanon.
7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return;
they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine:
the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols?
I have heard him, and observed him:
I am like a green fir tree.
From me is thy fruit found.
9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things?
prudent, and he shall know them?
for the ways of the LORD are right,
and the just shall walk in them:
but the transgressors shall fall therein. Hosea 14:4 KJV
I may not reach you in person, but let us take with us the word of the Lord and return unto Him whilst it is day.
My Prayer For You is this :
May the Good Lord keep you and yours in this hour.
May you reflect and consider your ways.
May you take His words with you and return back to Him.
May you find peace and sweet rest.
Yours in His Name
Evangelist Linda J
29/3/2020